FRITZ!Box recognizes a USB 3.0 storage device as a USB 2.0 device

Although do not experience any functional limitations when using a USB 3.0 storage device connected to the FRITZ!Box, the storage device is only recognized as a USB 2.0 device. "Connection: USB 2.0" is displayed for the storage device under "Home Network > USB Devices > Overview of Devices" in the FRITZ!Box user interface.

Simply proceed as described below. After each measure, check whether the issue persists.

2 Enabling USB 3.0 mode

Enable the option "Power Mode USB 3.0" for the USB port you are using.

Click "Apply" to save the settings.

Important:If the FRITZ!Box no longer detects the USB storage device when "Power Mode USB 3.0" is enabled, then your USB storage device does not correctly identify itself as a USB 3.0 device. In this case, re-enable the "Green Mode USB 2.0" option.

3 Using a USB 3.0 cable

USB 3.0 storage devices are only integrated as USB 3.0 devices if they are connected to the FRITZ!Box by means of a USB 3.0 cable:

Use a USB 3.0 ("super speed") cable to connect the USB storage device to the FRITZ!Box.

4 Connecting the USB storage device directly to the FRITZ!Box

The following step is only necessary if the USB storage device is connected to the FRITZ!Box by means of a USB hub:

For testing purposes, connect the USB storage device directly to the FRITZ!Box (i.e. without a USB hub).

If the USB storage device is now detected, then the USB hub is defective or it does not support the USB storage device you connected.

Note:The FRITZ!Box supplies USB devices with up to 900 mA in accordance with the USB 3.0 specification. Connect USB devices that require more power to the FRITZ!Box by means of a USB hub with its own power supply (active USB hub).

5 Restarting the USB storage device

Some USB storage devices can only be integrated as USB 3.0 devices if you restart them after connecting them to the FRITZ!Box.

Restart the USB storage device connected to the FRITZ!Box.

6 Checking whether the computer detects the USB storage device

Some USB 3.0 storage devices (for example My Passport hard drives from Western Digital) do not correctly identify themselves as USB 3.0 devices, which means that FRITZ!Box cannot integrate them as such. Therefore, check whether the USB storage device is detected correctly when you connect it to your computer:

For testing purposes, connect the USB storage device to a USB 3.0 port on your computer.

If the computer also does not recognize the USB storage device as a USB 3.0 device, then the USB cable is defective or the storage device does not correctly identify itself as a USB 3.0 device. In this case, contact the manufacturer.